PKP class Pu29

PKP Pu29
Pt31 locomotive
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder H. Cegielski – Poznań Build date 1931 Total produced 3
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-2  • UIC 2′D1′ h2 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Leading dia. 860 mm (33.86 in) Driver dia. 1,850 mm (72.83 in) Trailing dia. 1,200 mm (47.24 in) Tender wheels 1,000 mm (39.37 in) Minimum curve 150 m (492 ft 2 in) Wheelbase: ​  • Engine 13.200 m (43 ft 4 in)  • Drivers 6.000 m (19 ft 8 in)  • Tender 5.600 m (18 ft 4 in) Length 24.595 m (80 ft 8 in) (with tender) Height 4.630 m (15 ft 2 in) Axle load 18.5 tonnes Loco weight 113.8 tonnes Tender weight 68.5 tonnes Total weight 182.3 tonnes Tender type 32D29 Water cap. 32 m3 (1,100 cu ft) Tender cap. 10.0 tonnes Firebox: ​  • Grate area 4.95 m2 (53.3 sq ft) Boiler pressure 15 kg/cm2 (1.47 MPa; 213 psi) Heating surface 230.5 m2 (2,481 sq ft) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 86.8 m2 (934 sq ft) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 630 mm × 700 mm (24.80 in × 27.56 in) Valve gear Heusinger
Performance figures Maximum speed 110 km/h (68 mph) Power output 1,820 hp (1,360 kW) Tractive effort 13,500 kgf (29,760 lbf)
Career Operators PKP Class Pu29 Numbers Pu29-1 to Pu29-3 Locale Poland Delivered 1931 Retired 1970 Preserved 1

PKP Class Pu29 is a Polish steam locomotive of Polskie Koleje Państwowe, designed for hauling heavy long-distance passenger trains, built in 1931. The designation stood for fast passenger (P) 4-8-2 (u) steam locomotive accepted in 1929.

The locomotive was designed and constructed by H. Cegielski in Poznań. In late 1920s Polish Ministry of Transport ordered two classes of fast passenger locomotives to haul heavy trains in Polish factories, to compare their merits. The design by H. Cegielski was accepted in 1929 as Pu29, and three prototypes were built in 1931 (factory numbers: 198-200). The design was successful, but lost in competition to more compact 2-8-2 Pt31 by Fablok, which better suited Polish turntables, and no further orders followed.

The three locomotives served in PKP as Pu29 class, hauling mostly transit trains between Germany and East Prussia. A maximum speed was 110 km/h (68 mph), which could be achieved with 760 tonnes (750 long tons; 840 short tons) train. It could also haul the train of 818 tonnes (810 long tons; 900 short tons) with speed up to 105 km/h (65 mph).

During World War II, two locomotives were captured by the Germans and impressed into service as DRG class 12², with numbers 201 and 202. The latter locomotive was scrapped in West Germany in 1952. Pu29-2 was captured by the Soviets in Poland in 1939 and converted to broad gauge by 1941, transliterated as ПУ-29 class. Possibly it worked until 1958.

After World War II, Poland reclaimed one locomotive 12.201, former Pu29-3. At first it was mistakenly counted as Pt31-46, and from 1950 as Pu29-1. It served until 1970, then avoided scrapping, and finally was preserved in Warsaw Railway Museum.

References

• Pokropiński, Bogdan (2007). Parowozy normalnotorowe produkcji polskiej [Normal gauge steam locomotives of Polish manufacture] (in Polish). Warsaw: Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności. pp. 96–106, 254. ISBN 978-83-206-1617-0.